Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1887-06-21
The Order Rescinded.
The Roar of Indignation From
the Loyal States Concerning
the Return of
Trophies Of the Rebellion Wakes
Cleveland to the Improprie-
ty of the Order.
rHEsURRENDER OF THE FLAGS.

TnE nEsubhENDEh OF THE FLAGS.
The Onicial Record Of the Case.
As . matter Of record we append the
official correspondence leading to the
attempted surrender Of the Union
war trophies, which was % sum-
marily arrested by the protest Of every
northern state.
The frst official document lie the
following communication from Adjt.
Gen. Drum:
War Department. Adjutant Gen'rs
ONCE, Washington, April 30. Hon.
William Endicott. Secretary Of War
Dear Sir: / have the honor to state
that there are now In this Office (stored
in the attics Of this. buildingl num-
ter Of flags captured in action, but re-
covered at the fall OF the Confederacy,
and forwarded to the war department
for safe keeping, together with num-
ber Of Confederate fags, which the
fortunes of war placed In our hands
during the late civil war. While In
the past, favorable action has always
been taken on applications, properly
supported, for the return Of Union
flags to organizations representing
SURVIVORS of military regiments in the
service Of the government, / beg to
submit that it would be q graceful act
to anticipate future requests OF the ua.
ture, and venture to suggest the pro.
priety of of returning all the flags (Un-
ion aud Confederate) to the authorities
Of the respective states in which the
regiments that bore these colors were
organized, for such final disposition
as they may determine. While In all
the civilized nations Of the Old World
trophies taken iD wars against foreign
enemies have been carefully preserved
and exhibited as proud memeptos Of q
nations military glories, wise and oh.
vious reasons have always excepted
from the rule evidences Of past inter
necins troubles, which by appeals to
the sword have disturbed the peaceful
march Of = people to Its destiny, Over
twenty years have elapsed since the
termination OF the late cruel war.
Many Of the prominent leaders, civil
and military, Of the late Confederate
states are now honored Representatives
of the people In the national councils
or In other eminent positions lend tbs
aid of their talents TO the wise admin
Istration of the affairs of the whole
country, and the people Of the several
states composing the Union are now
united and entering broad and glor.
ious future. Impressed with these
facts, have the honor to submit the
suggestion made in his letter for the
careful consideration 1t will receive al
your hands. Very truly yours,
X. c. DRUM,
Adjutant General
The endorsement of the secretary o.
war upon this letter is as follows.
War Department, ,May26.-The with
in:recommendation is approved by th,
President. and the sdjutant genera
will prepare letters to the governors o
those states whose troops carried th'
colors and flags now In this depsrt
ment with the offer to return them q
herein proposed, the history Of eaci
flag and the circumstances of Its cap
ture or recapture to be given. .
WILLIAM c. ENDICoTT,
| Secretary Of War
On this, and before the country wa
aware oft the disgraceful proceed
| ings were commenced, which wher
known, caused such vigorous denun ci
ations from the north as to compel al
Immediate and complete counterman
ding of the order In the following
communication from the President h
the Secretary of war:
Washington, June IL, 1Ss7.-w.C
Endicott, Secretary Of War: ! hav
to-day considered with more care thai
when the subject was orally pressnte'
TO me the action OF your department
directing letters 10 be addressed TO tn
governors Of all the states offering b
return, II desired, TO the loyal state
the Union flags captured during th
war Of the rebellion by the ConfedeI
ate forces and afterward recovered b
government troops, and to the Cor
fedsrate states the flags captured b.
Union forces, all Of which for man,
years have been packed in boxes an
stored In the cellar and attic OF tn
wsr department. am OF the opiniol
that the return Of the fiags in the man
nsr thus contemplated is not author
lied by existing law, nor Justified .
an executive sct. IrsQuest, thsrefors
that no further steps be taken 10 th'
- n H.. A.